World Cup Qualifiers: Chelle Releases Super Eagles Final 23-Man Squad for Rwanda & South Africa

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

The Super Eagles will face Rwanda on Saturday, September 6 before hosting South Africa on Tuesday, September 9, in what promises to be two decisive fixtures for Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions.

Notable Omissions

The squad announcement came with surprises, as Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen), Nathan Tella, and Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad) were all left out of Chelle’s final list.

Nigeria’s 23-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey), Simon Moses (Paris FC, France), Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

Nigeria’s Road to 2026

The Super Eagles will be aiming to secure maximum points from these two encounters as they look to return to the FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.

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